From the Descriptive to the Normative: Towards a Practical Theology of the Charismatic-Evangelical Urban Church

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between ‘descriptive’ accounts of contemporary ecclesial practice and ‘normative’ claims of theological truth. It argues that practical theology needs to give more attention to the way that the tensions between these two voices or tasks are negotiated. A case study is provided of a research project that attempted to move beyond the descriptive to the normative by articulating a theological response to tensions that charismatic-evangelical urban churches experience. This study illustrates both the methodological challenges and benefits of combining the descriptive and the normative in studies of the Church. It also points to the possibility of a more fruitful charismatic-evangelical engagement with practical theology.